FEDERAL SPENDING BILL INCLUDES BAN ON HEMP-DERIVED THC PRODUCTS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval Wednesday to a spending bill that will end the record-long federal government shutdown — and shutter most of the 300 dispensary-type shops that have sold hemp-derived THC products in Nebraska for years.

A last-minute provision that Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky worked to include in the bill will outlaw the “unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including Delta-8,” which have been legal in Nebraska since 2019. The provision, which will take effect late next year, will close a loophole that Congress created in 2018 when lawmakers legalized hemp-derived products that contain no more than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC — placing no limits on the hundreds of other cannabinoids present in hemp, including Delta-8.

For the full article, click HERE.

LAW IN LIMBO: NEBRASKA VETERANS JUSTICE DIVERSION PROGRAM DEFUNDED, DELAYED UNTIL AT LEAST 2027

LINCOLN — Nebraska was set to lead the way July 1 with a new statewide criminal justice diversion program for eligible veterans through evidence-based treatment and case plans. But lawmakers delayed the rollout for two years in the face of growing budget woes.

It’s not yet clear whether Nebraska lawmakers can meet that later timeline and find the roughly $4.7 million in annual funding the state court system says is needed to start by July 1, 2027. Several current and former state lawmakers called the funding decision “disappointing” and “incredibly problematic.” Another former lawmaker said she wasn’t in a position to “second guess” a response to the state’s fiscal situation.

Former State Sen. Tom Brewer, the sponsor of the 2024 bill who represented north-central Nebraska, said in a May text that lawmakers had made a “conscious decision” to ignore veterans’ problems and wait to support those who have stumbled and need a second chance.

For the full article, click HERE.

RICKETTS RELIES ON RECORD AS OSBORN MOUNTS POPULIST CHALLENGE IN NEBRASKA SENATE RACE

LINCOLN - In the upcoming 2026 U.S. Senate race in Nebraska, incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts is running for his first full six-year term and is leaning heavily on his established conservative track record. He previously served as governor, uses his substantial campaign war-chest and influence within Nebraska politics to his advantage, and has the backing of prominent Republican leaders and donors. Ricketts’s strategy centers on emphasizing stability, continuity, and policy wins such as tax relief efforts and alignment with national conservative priorities, positioning himself as the safe, experienced choice in a state long dominated by Republicans.

His challenger, independent candidate Dan Osborn, is pitching a very different vision: a working-class populist narrative built on his union leadership background, his identity as a Nebraska native, and his critique of elite political structures. Osborn frames the campaign as a clash between everyday Nebraskans and the wealthy establishment, emphasizing economic issues like rising costs and a belief that the political “system is rigged” for the well-connected. He is leveraging grassroots tactics—town halls in bars, informal meet-ups, direct voter engagement—to build momentum, especially among those who feel disconnected from traditional two-party politics. His candidacy is tilting the race into more competitive terrain than usual for this state.

For the full articles, click HERE and HERE.

NEBRASKA APPROVES FIRST DIGITAL ASSET BANK IN US

NEBRASKA - Telcoin Digital Asset Bank has received approval from the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance to operate as a “digital asset depository institution” in Nebraska, making it the first of its kind in the nation. The state charter, signed by Governor Jim Pillen, authorizes the bank to mint a stablecoin called “eUSD,” which will be fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasury holdings. According to the bank’s leadership, this model aims to integrate traditional banking infrastructure with blockchain-based “digital cash,” offering users fast, transparent payments while operating under full regulatory oversight.

The charter was made possible by Nebraska’s 2021 law known as the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act, which created a legal framework for digital-asset banking in the state. Telcoin also announced it had raised about $25 million to support the bank’s launch and compliance operations. The approval positions Nebraska as a national pioneer in merging traditional finance with blockchain technology, potentially setting the stage for broader adoption of regulated stablecoins and digital-asset banking across the U.S.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS SEEK EXTRA SECURITY AT STATE CAPITOL AHEAD OF 2026 SESSION

LINCOLN - Nebraska Legislature lawmakers are exploring enhanced security measures at the Nebraska State Capitol ahead of the 2026 session, prompted by concerns about recent political violence elsewhere. Ben Hansen, chair of the Legislature’s Executive Board, said the building currently uses State Patrol officers and surveillance cameras, and allows firearms by open-carry, but that officials are considering additional steps while striving not to restrict public access. 

Among the ideas under discussion are portable metal detectors at high-traffic entrances or hearing rooms, possibly for the 2026 session starting January 7, while permanent upgrades might roll out in 2027. The cost is expected to be modest—“less than tens of millions of dollars,” Hansen said—but the plan must contend with the Legislature’s major fiscal pressures, including a projected $451 million budget gap. 

For the full article, click HERE.

PILLEN APPOINTS DEREK VAUGHN TO NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT

LINCOLN - Gov. Jim Pillen announced Monday he is appointing Douglas County District Court Judge Derek Vaughn to the Nebraska Supreme Court. 

Vaughn has been a district court judge in Douglas County since 2023. Before that, he served on the county court, after serving 14 years as a deputy Douglas County Attorney. Pillen said Vaughn’s court experience, community involvement, incredible reputation and commitment to the state made him a great choice. Vaughn promised to bring an impartial approach to the job. “I always tell people … I have no agenda. This is your day in court, and I want people to feel that, even if you're upset with the decision, you were heard,” he said.

For the full article, click HERE.

AG HILGERS TARGETS NATIONAL DONORS BEHIND NEBRASKA BALLOT INITIATIVES

LINCOLN - The state of Nebraska, via the office of Mike Hilgers, Attorney General, has filed a lawsuit against six national nonprofits and a key funder for allegedly funneling more than $10 million into Nebraska ballot initiatives using “foreign money.” The lawsuit traces funds from Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss through a chain of nonprofits—such as Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund, Hopewell Fund and The Fairness Project—which then contributed directly to ballot-question campaigns in Nebraska. The state’s 2022 law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing, either directly or indirectly, to ballot-measure campaigns, and the lawsuit asks the court to block future similar contributions. 

The related article provides a detailed breakdown of eight Nebraska ballot-measure campaigns from 2018 through 2025 and shows how much of each one’s funding came from the targeted nonprofits. For example, the 2022 “Raise the Wage Nebraska” initiative raised about $3.67 million, of which roughly $2.77 million (about 75 %) came from those nonprofits. Even though the 2022 law took effect in July of that year, many of the contributions occurred before that date, and the state argues that a significant volume of activity post-law also may violate the statute. 

For the full article on our website, click HERE. 

NEBRASKA'S PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT GROWS TO $451MILLION AFTER NEW FORECAST

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s projected budget hole just widened to approximately $451 million following new economic forecasts.

Nebraska’s Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met Friday to update state revenue projections for the current two-year budget cycle. Members lowered their previous tax revenue projections from April by about $367 million over the two years.

The current projected deficit listed in Nebraska’s general fund financial status stands at about $95 million, which would bring the new deficit up to about $462 million if the tally were added straight from Friday’s meeting. However, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent said several other factors contributing to state finances mean the projected deficit is expected to rise about $355 million, to reach an estimated $451 million gap.

Gov. Jim Pillen, in a statement, acknowledged the lower receipts and said he had anticipated the need for belt-tightening, which is why he said he seeks “critical” work to trim $500 million a year from the budget over the next two years.

Read the full article on our website by clicking HERE

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO FULLY FUND SNAP BENEFITS IN NOVEMBER

RHODE ISLAND - A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration Thursday to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave President Donald Trump's administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, though it's unlikely the 42 million Americans — about 1 in 8, most of them in poverty — will see the money on the debit cards they use for groceries nearly that quickly. The order was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit, a decision that would have left some recipients getting nothing for this month. 

For the full article, click HERE.

MIDWEST ICE PRISON IN MCCOOK NOW OPERATIONAL, FIRST 200 BEDS TO BE FULL BY THANKSGIVING

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s McCook prison for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees is now operational, with the first migrants having arrived this week, Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed on Thursday. Pillen said he expects the first phase of about 200 beds to be full by Thanksgiving, “as detainees are coming in each day.” He said the facility, used previously as the state’s Work Ethic Camp for men, continues to be renovated for a second phase of about 100 additional ICE detainees and will include adult men and women.

“There is work that just got approved for the bid with the federal government, and I would expect that the second phase will be ready in the first part of the new year,” Pillen said.

For the full article, click HERE.

STATE LAWSUIT TARGETS NATIONAL DONORS BEHIND NEBRASKA BALLOT INITIATIVES

LINCOLN - The state of Nebraska, via the office of Mike Hilgers, Attorney General, has filed a lawsuit against six national nonprofits and a key funder for allegedly funneling more than $10 million into Nebraska ballot initiatives using “foreign money.” The lawsuit traces funds from Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss through a chain of nonprofits—such as Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund, Hopewell Fund and The Fairness Project—which then contributed directly to ballot-question campaigns in Nebraska. The state’s 2022 law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing, either directly or indirectly, to ballot-measure campaigns, and the lawsuit asks the court to block future similar contributions. 

The related article provides a detailed breakdown of eight Nebraska ballot-measure campaigns from 2018 through 2025 and shows how much of each one’s funding came from the targeted nonprofits. For example, the 2022 “Raise the Wage Nebraska” initiative raised about $3.67 million, of which roughly $2.77 million (about 75 %) came from those nonprofits. Even though the 2022 law took effect in July of that year, many of the contributions occurred before that date, and the state argues that a significant volume of activity post-law also may violate the statute. 

For the full article, click HERE and HERE.

PILLEN SIGNS ORDER CUTTING OFF STATE TAX DOLLARS TO NEBRASKA ABORTION PROVIDERS

LINCOLN - Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order on November 6, 2025, that blocks Nebraska state tax dollars—including Medicaid reimbursements—from medical providers who perform abortions. The directive stipulates that any abortion-provider clinic disciplined or removed from another state’s Medicaid program will likewise be terminated from Nebraska’s program. Officials estimate the impact will cut approximately $250,000 per year in state funds to such providers. 

In leaning on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision (Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic) that affirmed states’ ability to exclude abortion-providers from Medicaid, the administration and the state attorney general argued the order stands on solid legal ground. Pro-life organizations applauded the move as consistent with Nebraska’s values, while critics warn it may limit access to non-abortion women’s health services from affected clinics.

For the full article, click HERE.

UNL FACULTY WILL SEEK 'NO-CONFIDENCE' VOTE AGAINST BENNETT AMID STEEP BUDGET CUTS

LINCOLN - As the University of Nebraska-Lincoln continues to wrestle with significant budget cuts, faculty leaders will call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Rodney Bennett later this month. The UNL Faculty Senate overwhelmingly approved a procedural motion Tuesday to bring the largely symbolic resolution criticizing Bennett’s leadership up for a vote on Nov. 18.

Fifty faculty senators voted in favor of scheduling the emergency vote, while four voted against it. There were no abstentions. Bennett’s office declined to comment after Tuesday’s meeting.

The action follows a separate faculty committee's review of Bennett’s plan to close a $27.5 million structural budget deficit at the state’s largest public university campus, which expressed disapproval of several items proposed. Bennett proposed eliminating six academic programs and merging several others as cost-saving strategies, but faculty, students and staff from those departments have pushed back, questioning the methods used and conclusions drawn by the leadership team. The chancellor’s response to the recommendations put forward by the Academic Planning Committee, the group charged with reviewing the proposals, could be made public later this month, roughly mirroring the potential timeline for a no-confidence vote.

For the full article, click HERE.

LINCOLNITE WITH BACKGROUND IN NATIONAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES CONGRESSIONAL BID

LINCOLN – Another candidate has entered the race for Nebraska’s First Congressional District in the 2026 election. Democrat Chris Backemeyer of Lincoln announced his candidacy in a video released on Thursday morning, in which he questioned Republican Congressman Mike Flood at a Lincoln town hall earlier this year on what’s being done to help benefit Nebraskans.  Backemeyer is challenging Flood to take on rising costs, confront our national debt, and bring Nebraska values of hard work and community back to Washington.

“My campaign is about putting people first, and making sure Nebraska values of hard work, fairness, and community guide our country again,” Backemeyer said. “Because if you’re doing everything right and still falling behind, the problem isn’t you — it’s the system, and it’s time to fix it.” 

For the full article, click HERE.

JULIE SLAMA ENDS NEBRASKA TREASURER CAMPAIGN AFTER TWO DAYS

LINCOLN - Former State Sen. Julie Slama suspended her campaign for Nebraska treasurer on Wednesday just two days after launching her bid. 

By coincidence, her campaign began the same day that former Treasurer Tom Briese announced his intention to resign and Gov. Jim Pillen announced that he would appoint Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg to the role. Slama said on social media she did not want to engage in a potentially bitter and expensive primary that doesn’t help the party or voters. She also stated that Spellerberg is the ideal candidate for the role.

“I launched my campaign to bring new energy and a fresh perspective to the state treasurer’s office,” Slama, who lives in Dunbar, said. She said that she met with Spellerberg and that he has the right energy and perspective. Spellerberg and Slama met Wednesday before Slama suspended her campaign.

She said those who donated to her campaign will receive refunds. Slama, 29, received an appointment to the Legislature from then-Gov. Pete Ricketts before winning her seat in 2020. She declined to run for reelection in 2024. Spellerberg, 35, will officially become treasurer on Thursday.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA LAWMAKER SAYS HE IS BEING CALLED ON TO RESIGN FOR 'A BAD PUN'

LINCOLN - The Nebraska lawmaker who allegedly groped a legislative staff member this year said he is facing calls to resign over what he described as a joke gone wrong. 

Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst was cited by the Nebraska State Patrol for public indecency last week following an investigation into the May 29 incident. According to the State Patrol, the 59-year-old lawmaker "made inappropriate contact" with a female staff member over her clothes at the Legislature's sine die party for senators and others. The case was turned over to Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon and scheduled for a Dec. 10 hearing.

"Earlier this year, at the end-of-session gathering, Senator McKeon made a single remark — a joke — to a staff member about her planned trip and hoping she and her husband would receive a 'Hawaiian lei,' or words to that effect," Pirsch said. "And then he patted her on the back," Pirsch said the comment was made in jest and "nothing about his action was in any way sexually charged or lewd," which courts have defined as inciting "sensual desire or imagination."

Wishing the staff member a "Hawaiian lei" was a bad joke, even cliché, but not "objectively lewd conduct," Pirsch added. Once McKeon learned the staff member "had been offended by the comment," he reached out and wrote an apology note in July.
For the full story, click HERE.

OMAHA RECYCLING EXECUTIVE, ARMY RESERVE OFFICER, TO RUN FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

OMAHA - Patrick Leahy of Omaha announced Wednesday he is running for a seat in the Nebraska Legislature, pledging to use his experience in business, the military and public service to represent District 6. 

The district's current representative is State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who cannot seek reelection in 2026 due to term limits. 

“Nebraska is facing many challenges — from workforce shortages in nearly every sector, to high property taxes, to rising costs on everyday necessities like housing and childcare, and groceries,” Leahy, 42, said in a press release. “I am running to tackle these issues head on and unapologetically represent hardworking families and small businesses in District 6.” 

Leahy is the chief executive of First Star Recycling, the state's largest recycling provider and "works to advance responsible waste management and sustainability practices across the state." He previously held executive roles at non-profits, overseeing fundraising efforts.

Leahy has served nearly 20 years in the military and is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve, working for U.S. Strategic Command.

He previously served in elected office as a member of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019. That board oversees flood control, water quality and trail initiatives across the region, and Leahy noted it cut property tax rates during those years.  Leahy's first experience in public service was as a constituent services staffer for U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, Nebraska's last Democrat to win a statewide election. 
For the full article, click HERE.

GOV. JIM PILLEN REQUESTS STATE SENATOR RESIGN AMIDST GROPING ALLEGATION

LINCOLN —Governor Jim Pillen has called for State Senator Dan McKeon of Amherst to resign following a misdemeanor citation for public indecency. The charge stems from an incident in May after the legislative session, where a woman alleged that McKeon groped her over her clothing at a social gathering. Pillen described the allegation as “serious” and “unacceptable,” emphasizing that such conduct is incompatible with the responsibilities of elected office. The governor’s statement marked a firm stance against misconduct among state officials.

McKeon has denied the accusation, calling it false and politically motivated, and said through his attorney that he has no plans to step down. As of now, no formal disciplinary action has been taken by the Legislature, and McKeon remains in his seat. The incident has prompted renewed discussion among lawmakers about accountability and conduct in public service, highlighting the political tension between due process and public expectations of integrity in government.

For the full article, click HERE.

OMAHA TRIBE’S MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION CREATES TENSION IN TOBACCO TAX NEGOTIATIONS WITH STATE

LINCOLN — The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska has moved forward with legalizing medical and adult-use recreational marijuana, establishing a tribal cannabis commission to regulate the industry on tribal land. At the same time, the tribe has been pursuing a new tobacco tax compact with the State of Nebraska. Under the proposal, the tribe would keep 90% of the tobacco tax revenue and take on regulatory authority, similar to but more favorable than an existing compact Nebraska has with the Santee Sioux Nation.

However, the negotiations have become strained. Governor Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers expressed concerns about the tribe’s marijuana law and signaled reluctance to move forward with the tobacco tax agreement while the cannabis issue remains unresolved. The Omaha Tribe’s attorney general accused the state of retaliating by slowing or halting compact discussions in response to the tribe’s cannabis legalization. The situation highlights broader tensions over tribal sovereignty, state authority, public policy priorities, and revenue-sharing across overlapping jurisdictions.

For the full article, click HERE and HERE.

NEBRASKA’S FIRST WOMAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HANGS UP ROBE, MULLS NEXT MOVE: ‘I’LL BE USEFUL.’

LINCOLN — Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Nebraska’s first woman to serve on both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, has retired after 33 years on the bench — six on the appeals court and 27 on the state’s highest court. Appointed in 1998 by Gov. Ben Nelson, Miller-Lerman was known for her sharp writing, judicial restraint, and ability to make complex law understandable, sometimes using pop culture references to do so. She reflected that her son’s advice — “don’t bore, don’t confuse” — became her guiding principle in crafting opinions. Throughout her career, she broke gender barriers in Nebraska’s legal system, navigating a male-dominated environment with grace and focus on substance over symbolism.

During her tenure, Miller-Lerman authored several landmark decisions, including rulings on capital punishment unanimity, same-sex parental rights, and the Beatrice Six DNA testing case that helped free wrongfully convicted individuals. Her colleagues praised her for her incisive questioning and clarity of thought, qualities that helped shape Nebraska’s modern judiciary. At 78, she said she feels she’s made her contribution and now looks forward to spending more time with family, possibly serving in a limited judicial role. As she put it, closing one chapter of trailblazing service: “I’ll be useful.”

For the full article, click HERE.